UPN season debut drops off 15%

UPN’s season debut Monday fell 15% below last year’s Monday premiere, which was artificially inflated in some markets because the Democratic National Convention on the Big 3 provided so little competition.

UPN’s weighted metered-market average for Monday night was a 5.2 rating and 9 share, off almost a full rating point from last year’s 6.1/10 Monday debut. Two years ago, when UPN aired “Voyager” on Mondays, the Monday debut averaged a 7.7/2. The netlet’s national ratings are delayed because the shows run out of pattern in many markets.

Despite the year-to-year drop-off, UPN’s one new Monday sitcom, “Good News” held its own. “Good News” averaged a 5.5/9 at 9 p.m., off a mere 2% from its “Malcolm & Eddie” lead-in of 5.6/9. In 10 airings this summer, the average 8:30-9 p.m. falloff between “Malcolm & Eddie” and “Sparks” was 11%.

On Monday, “Good News” also outperformed its veteran lead-out, “Sparks,” by 11%, with “Sparks” rating a 4.9/8 at 9:30 p.m. “Good News” came in fourth in its time period in overnights, a full rating point ahead of Fox’s “Roar,” which rated a 4.5 in the 9 p.m. half-hour and was the only other original series competing.

Each of UPN’s series fell below last year’s series debut ratings, though. “In the House” (4.9/8) was 23% below last year’s debut; “Malcolm & Eddie” (5.6/9) was 14% below last year’s bow. “Good News” was 7% below the timeslot’s debut performance with “Goode Behavior,” and “Sparks” was 9% below last season’s debut.